Care and Finishing of Wood Millwork from Western Spindle

Our exterior wood products are designed to be very low maintenance and very durable. Here are a few considerations to help ensure you enjoy your new millwork for decades to come:

Storage and moisture considerations

Always keep in mind that your new millwork is good old fashioned natural wood and needs to be handled accordingly. Although we use only “kiln dried” wood, it still contains between 5% and 15% moisture. All woods eventually assume the moisture of the environment in which they are stored. Problems arise when the moisture content changes too quickly. Protect it from very wet or especially dry environments.

Never store unpainted millwork in direct sunlight, even for a few hours. This will invariably dry the wood rapidly which causes checking (small cracks between the grain). In extreme cases it can cause splitting.

Finishing your millwork

Always use a high quality oil-based primer before installation (available pre-primed from Western Spindle) on all surfaces, including (and especially) the ends. Do this as soon as possible to help protect your investment.

For products ordered as pre-primed, we use a slow set oil-based primer that soaks well into the wood before curing, sprayed on all surfaces. We do not apply a heavy coat of primer. Instead, we apply the RIGHT amount of primer, which is just enough to protect the wood and give a good adhesion surface for the top coat.

Do not neglect the ends of your millwork. The end grain gains and loses moisture more readily than the side of the grain and needs to be protected.

Finish your millwork with a high quality topcoat within 14 days after installation to prevent oxidation of the primer. On our pre-primed products, our oil-based primer will accept either water or oil-based topcoat paint.

Go to your local professional paint store for the best advice and products. These types of places often have more knowledgeable help and better products than the big box stores.

Western Spindle cannot be held responsible for mistreated or neglected products.

Hardware

We recommend using only high quality outdoor hardware, such as stainless steel or chromed steel, among others, for you porch. These products will resist rust, corrosion, staining, discoloration, and bleeding. Always pre-drill holes for your hardware to prevent splitting.

You’ve invested the time, money, and energy in seeking the absolute best, American-made, solid wood products from Western Spindle; take the extra time and care with the installation phase and make the most of that beautiful porch!